John Aaron Wellness

In my closet I have a cardboard treasure box of notes and momentos from significant people and moments in my life. Sad to say, they are mostly from people I have lost to death. These people have had a positive impact on me and this is how I honor and remember them. This week, I had to add an obituary of a dear friend of mine to that treasure box. I know that death and loss are natural parts of life, but knowing this does not make the loss, or the grief, any less painful. In fact, I was surprised by just how much the news of Michael’s death affected me. After all, I hadn’t seen him in several years. But regardless, the friendship he gave me made me a better man. For that, I am grateful and cannot help but miss him. Regardless of whether a death is anticipated or a complete surprise, shock often hits you when a loved one passes. Then, immediately following your loss, accepting the fact that your loved one has indeed passed away is a hard pill to swallow. After someone you love die...

So I had a wild side. Didn’t you? All those young, care-free, college days when living it up with your best friends meant getting plastered at the local bar or night club. Back then, having an all night party, waking up with a hangover and still making class and work the next day was easy. Now, well past my college years, I have learned that those habits are harder to recoup from. Hangover aside, there is the fact that in a few hours of “social drinking” it is possible to consume a whole days worth of empty calories. It’s those excessive calories that add to my waist and subtract from my health. So, to better understand what drinks are best left in the bartender's hand, I’ve created the following list: Beer A light weight when it comes to calories vs. liquid volume, beer can add about 150 calories to your day per 12-ounce can. And while 150 calories doesn't seem like much, they are detrimental when it comes to maintaining your waist. It’s called a “beer belly!” Instead, try lig...

Almost every day I speak with a new prospective client regarding their recent blood-work and their concerns over their high cholesterol scores. While a certain level of cholesterol is necessary to keep your body functioning properly, too much can be dangerous, in fact, excessive cholesterol can be deadly. So what do I tell these individuals about fending off high cholesterol? I say, you’ve come to the right place. Put on your exercise outfit and let’s get to it! : ) Through the exercise process, your body does two amazing things. It reduces the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in your body and increases the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in your body. Why does this matter? Well, getting rid of LDL is a good thing because in the eyes of your physician, LDL is bad cholesterol. It is most responsible for the artery-clogging affects cholesterol is known for. HDL, on the other hand, is actually beneficial to your body. Researchers believe that this kind of ...

If you’ve got a ton of weight to lose and you're ready to transform your body into the sleek shape you've been dreaming about, start reading and prepare to change your life. I believe that losing lots of weight should never be done alone. Involving professionals like your physician can help to determine your best weight-loss strategies. Some of my clients have been overweight for most of their lives, and despite the good - the weight-loss process can be shocking to your body. So, let your doctor help you make sense of any unexpected reaction your body may have to thinning down. Being overweight can come from any number of reasons but the most common one is overeating. To battle this obstacle, you need to start reducing your daily caloric intake by 250 to 500 calories. If the thought of tracking calories is overwhelming, try something a little easier, like skipping dessert after meals. It may not add up to 250 calories, but it's a start. And every bite you don't take c...

Believe it or not, most tried-and-true methods to get better results from your body actually work. Which ones are best? Well, the ones that best suit you. Experiment with these different techniques and see what takes your body to the next level of fitness and provide you with a better, stronger self. Strengthen Your Core: More than just a weak belly, when your core is weak, the rest of your body is at a distinct disadvantage. Muscle-up your core with sit-ups, double crunches, crunches while resting on an exercise ball, and other core-strengthening and core-stabilizing exercises. The end result will be more than a good-looking set of abdominal muscles. It will be a set of good-looking abdominal muscles that supports your body properly. Get Vitamin D: Yes vitamin D is important for strong bones, and strong bones are important if you want a strong body. But, vitamin D is also important for another reason. Recent research suggests that vitamin D may play a role in muscle performance. R...